Innocence robbed

I, like every other human being, cried many times this weekend watching the news out of Newtown, Conn.

I, like every other mother, wanted to hold on to my children and never let them go.

I, like every other parent, felt empathy and compassion for all the parents hurting and facing this unspeakable tragedy.

I was a senior in high school when the Columbine shooting occurred. I remember knowing what was going on, but it did not affect my life at all. I was a sophomore in college when Sept. 11 happened and I remember shedding a few tears, but not getting too wrapped up in it.

I am a compassionate person. I was just too young and naive to really understand all that was happening. People said it, but it did not register. It was maybe just too much for me, so my emotions turned a blind eye. I don’t know.

But then I became a parent.

I have now witnessed what true innocence is and have felt the unconditional love that only a child can give.

I ache for any child who is robbed of this. I ache for any child hurt by unspeakable ways. I ache for any child as if it was my own.

I think President Obama was right in his speech last night. We rely on everyone to keep our children safe. We cannot do it alone. It is impossible. And he was right that we are failing as a society at doing this.

Children hurt every day. Children are robbed of their innocence every day. Children are forgotten about every day.

We as a society need to want to do more. We as a society should not be putting our needs above those of children. We should be laying down our lives for children.

For my family, I feel the only way that I can make my children feel secure, loved, and protected in any situation is to give them the gift of Christ. We love because he sacrificially loved us first.

I hold on to my love for Jesus for I know he loves my children more than I. I hold on to his promises to never harm and always to heal. I hold on to his eternal promise of good.

I know that no answer to the ever present Why question will ever be enough. But I know that God’s grace is enough.

So, I will still shed more tears for all the men, women, and children affected by this tragedy. I will pray for all men, women, and children that we are not blind to child innocence and that we learn to do everything in our power to protect it. And, I will love my children and never forget what a blessing they are in my life.